WIRED NextFest takes place at the Javits Center and is open to the public from September 29 to October 1, 2006. The event will feature more than 130 exhibits on the future of communication, design, entertainment, exploration, green living, health, security and transportation. The Interactive Institute is a Swedish experimental research organization that creates innovations by combining art, design and technology. Several of their prototypes are geared toward energy awareness and sustainability. This area is crucially relevant today, as New York and other U.S. cities have been experiencing energy shortages and launched major public conservation efforts during summer months.The Element is a device made of glass, metal and enough light bulbs to reach the same heat level as an electric radiator. Its dynamic appearance resembles an old fireplace, adjusting itself to the temperature of the room. The Erratic Radio makes you aware of your energy usage by giving you a “sound alert” and ”untuning” when there are too many objects in the room consuming energy at the same time. The Flower Lamp reflects the energy used in a household by changing its’ shape. The Energy Curtain is a window shade that collects solar energy during day and displays it as a glowing pattern at night. The glowing Power Aware Cord (pictured) makes it possible for you to actually see the amount of energy used by different appliances.Other inventions from the Institute are the DigiWall, a combination of traditional climbing wall and next-generation computer game, as well as Brainball, a game in which players' brainwaves control the movements of a ball on a table.WIRED NextFest offers Fresh from Sweden subscribers tickets at 40% off. Simply visit www.nextfest.net and enter the promotional code SWENFDSC. WIRED NextFestJavits Center, Hall 3BNew York CitySeptember 29 - October 1, 2006For more information about NextFest: www.nextfest.netFor more about the Interactive Institute: www.tii.sePhoto: Power Aware Cord, courtesy of Interactive Institute